Powder Coatings Help Drive Electric Vehicles of Tomorrow

The Resicoat EV powder coatings range from AkzoNobel was designed to protect the battery system and electrical components of a new generation of electric vehicles (EVs).

The company says the future success of EVs is dependent on the performance of the battery and associated systems. Battery performance is impacted by its environment, which is why it needs protection to boost the vehicle’s performance and promote passenger safety. Powder coatings can improve the performance of the battery by providing insulation from electric current and protection against corrosion. This means manufacturers can extend battery life and promote better performance in the battery for longer.

Each of the five product ranges developed within the Resicoat EV range has been developed to improve the safety and performance of the EVs of tomorrow, AkzoNobel says. They are said to have distinct electrical insulating properties and enhanced thermal management which are intended to help protect the battery systems, motors and electrical storage units.

The range comprises the Resicoat EVpack which delivers a range of protective properties for the battery pack or housing to insulate electrical systems; Resicoat EVcell which provides cell-to-cell electrical insulation even for intricate designs; and Resicoat EVcooling, designed to deliver good performance in thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, edge coverage and consistent film building in cooling tube and cooling plate applications.

It also includes Resicoat EVbusbar to coat the busbars that carry and distribute electricity to improve heat dissipation and support a lower fire load with a longer lifetime during thermal impact. To protect the electric motor, the Resicoat EVmotor range includes epoxy powder solutions that are designed for the electrical insulation of hairpin stators.

Key solutions within the Resicoat EV range are tested and approved to UL 94 V-0, which enables vehicle systems to tolerate a certain amount of exposure to a flame without igniting. They are also tested and approved to UL746B and UL1446, demonstrating their resistance to thermal degradation and possible damage that can occur at elevated temperatures.

Sustainability is a driver in the popularity of EVs and similarly important to AkzoNobel, the company says. The durability of the Resicoat EV range in protecting essential components means the components are intended to last longer before needing to be replaced. Resicoat powder coatings have very minimum volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and conform to the industry’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive to give coaters and customers peace of mind.

“For more than 60 years, we have built the expertise and innovation inherent with our Resicoat brand to help resolve the challenge of electrical insulation,” says Jeff Jirak, managing director at AkzoNobel Powder Coatings. “We understand how an exceptional powder coating with the right application technique will provide consistent electrical insulation for the life of the key components, such as the batteries in EVs.”